In today’s food manufacturing and supply chain industries, a minor pest infestation can have a huge impact, potentially leading to costly shutdowns and long-lasting damage. As well as costing a company’s finances and reputation
Although traditional pest control methods have been reactive and reliant on manual inspections, a new partnership between BrightAI and Pelsis Group is bringing new solutions that hope to prevent pest-related disruptions before they occur.
Using AI to test for pests in the food industry
BrightAI, a company known for its innovative technology, has teamed up with pest control leader Pelsis to launch an AI-powered system that could change how businesses manage pest risks.
The new technology, which has already shown success in a pilot program, is designed to integrate with Pelsis’ popular line of fly traps, including the Cobra LED, Halo, and Flytrap products. These traps are widely used in food and beverage production facilities and pharmaceutical plants across the UK, US, and Europe. The updated version of the system will incorporate cameras and sensors powered by BrightAI’s Stateful OS technology, offering real-time monitoring and more competent pest management.
As food safety professionals seek proactive, data-driven solutions to address pest risks, this AI solution comes at the perfect time.
With an ageing workforce and rising regulatory pressures, many experts worry about the capacity of the pest control industry to meet demand.
According to the British Pest Control Association, up to 40 per cent of pest control technicians could retire within the next decade, creating a potential gap in the industry that could be filled with more advanced technology.
Pest control methods
Originally, pest control methods within the food production industry involved technicians manually inspecting traps, such as glue boards, to detect infestations.
This process can be time-consuming, labour-intensive, and prone to human error. Delayed or missed inspections can result in undetected pest activity, leading to consequences such as contamination incidents, production halts, and a damaged brand reputation.
However, the new system hopes to eliminate these issues by providing continuous surveillance through cameras and sensors.
The AI models integrated into the system automatically analyse images to detect pest species and track infestation patterns. This allows businesses to proactively address any signs of pest activity before it escalates into a major problem. Technicians can then be directed to the exact location of the pests using a mobile app, ensuring a rapid and efficient response that minimises disruption and reduces the need for pesticide use.
The future pest control systems
The system operates through a streamlined three-step process: monitoring, diagnosing, and acting.
With 24/7 surveillance, businesses are alerted whenever pests are detected, and the AI system quickly assesses the situation.
The system generates personal treatment plans based on the findings, directing technicians to specific hotspots. This new approach enables businesses to address infestations early, minimising the risk of contamination and operational downtime.
The technology also features a centralised web portal that collates data from multiple sites, allowing operators to monitor pest activity across global facilities in real-time. This gives businesses a wide overview of their pest control efforts and helps to ensure consistent management across all locations. The system prevents costly closure and provides operational efficiencies that can result in significant savings.
Something about the new Pelsis Digital Halo mode that impresses me is the high-definition camera, which will offer sharper image quality for more accurate pest identification.
In addition to enhanced image capture, the system uses energy-efficient LED technology, reducing energy consumption by up to 69 per cent. This combination of advanced imaging and energy efficiency makes the system a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to reduce their environmental footprint while improving pest control capabilities.
By introducing BrightAI and Pelsis, companies can now stay on top of potential infestations, allowing for safer and more efficient production processes.
